All Posts in About

When I started this blog just over nine years ago, I never expected that it would enable me to make important personal and professional connections around the globe, pursue more writing and speaking opportunities, or lead me to amazing opportunities. Today, I’m happy to announce that I’m taking on a new opportunity as Director of Education at TeamGantt. Interesting, my relationship with TeamGantt can be tracked back to my blog. Read more

I started this site—primarily as a blog—back in 2009. I wanted to speak my mind about all things digital project management. I did, and it led to a lot of great conversations, connections, and advancements in my career. When I went out on my own in January of 2015, I immediately knew that the design wasn’t going to work if I wanted to showcase my work—or what I’m doing. So I flipped a switch in WordPress and suddenly jumped into a new, less customizable theme. it never felt right, but it did the job for the time being. I always knew that I wanted a more customized site that allowed me to showcase what I’m doing for work in addition to what I’m saying on this blog, but I knew it would take some time.

In March, I decided to put a call out on Twitter to see if anyone would want to help me with a new brand and a new site. That’s when my friend and Every Day DPM co-blogger Rachel Gertz replied and I thought to myself, “Duh. Of course Louder Than Ten!” We had already been doing some work together and had been thinking about planning an Every Day DPM workshop in Vancouver, among other things. It just felt like the best option, maybe even an extension of all of the fun stuff we’d been working on together already. Plus, working with friends on something that is so personal just feels right.

The next week, Rachel, Travis and I were on the phone talking about next steps. They asked me the right questions: What will this “brand” represent? What did I need immediately? What could I wait for? Immediately I was excited, and of course I wanted it all at once. This is why it’s good to work with friends (and good project managers): They laid the project and costs out for me in a way that helped me to prioritize the work.

We started with a logo

We all agreed that the best place to start was with a logo. I mean, I honestly never thought I wanted or needed one, but man am I happy with what Travis designed. And the process was fun, smooth, and easy to navigate. After two rounds of looking at rough sketches, we landed on an option that felt right for me. And then some refinements, and color.

I could not wait to apply this to business cards—and I’d been lacking those for months—so Travis whipped them up, printed them, and sent them my way. I now have a full box of cards that I will probably remember to hand out three times this year, because that’s how I roll. BUT I HAVE BUSINESS CARDS!

Oh, and I printed stickers too. My kids seem to love them.

Then came a website

Every time I received an email through the contact form on my old site, I was met with shock and embarrassment. Shock that someone would take the old site legitimately. Embarrassment because that’s how you’d feel working in the web industry with such a junior league site.

Initially we planned to attack the project later in the year, but I didn’t think I would be able to wait. Thankfully, Travis was able to make some time in his busy schedule and we kicked the site design out in just two and a half weeks. I handled content, he designed, illustrated, and coded everything in Semplice for WordPress, and I ended up with a site that I’m truly happy with—and proud of. I’m sure we’ll make enhancements or changes in the future, but what I have now is a site that actually represents my work and my personality.

AND WE LAUNCHED IT ON A FRIDAY. Yup, we broke the rules. There were hiccups. We fixed them, and then sent fireworks gifs over Slack. It was quick, fun, and stress-free. That’s how it should be.

Thanks to LT10

I can’t post this without sending a huge thanks for Rachel and Travis Gertz at Louder Than Ten for helping me with this project. They’re not only doing great web design work, they’re a strong voice in the digital PM community. Check out coax, the digital magazine they’re publishing for DPMs. It’s a joy to read—and full of helpful information and opinions.

What’s Next?

This year has been fulfilling, fun, and busy (but also relaxing at the same time, if that is possible?). I’ve done a lot of work I’ve been proud of, and I’m excited to show you more. I’m always looking for new contacts and businesses to help. Now that I’ve got a real site and logo, I’d love for you to share them! I’m always open to new and exciting projects.

I started this blog just six short (and extremely jam-packed) months after working for Happy Cog. I had many “adventures" in the world of project management before I joined the team, but I had never thought to write or speak about it. The inspiration to set up this blog came directly from my wonderful experiences and colleagues at Happy Cog.

After five years, I can look back fondly at all of the amazing projects, work experiences, and the incredibly supportive community at Happy Cog. It has been truly amazing. That’s why I’m half-smiling, half-frowning as I write this: I’m leaving Happy Cog as a full-time employee.

In January of 2015, I’ll be going out on my own as a Digital Project Strategist. I’ll help agencies face issues that make projects difficult: process, communications, scoping, difficult conversations...the fun, digital PM stuff. I’ll also take an active role on projects as a strategist, conducting research and guiding projects through important strategic decisions that impact not only process, but eventual creative direction. I’m also thrilled to continue partnering with Happy Cog clients—current and new—on a project-by-project basis. Essentially, I’m going to continue to do what I love: working with clients and teams on process, decision-making, and all of those fun digital PM-ey things. Feel like you might need my help? Get in touch, we might be able to make great things together!

But that’s not all. I’m ecstatic to have the opportunity to continue working with Greg Hoy and Carl Smith on the Bureau of Digital, which was incubated during my time at Happy Cog. Greg Hoy and Greg Storey supported my efforts to grow the Digital PM community while managing the PM team at Happy Cog. They even helped me to pull off the biggest, most important and gratifying project of my life: The Digital PM Summit.

The Digital PM community is at the heart of what keeps me going, and I am nowhere near ready to stop. I feel like we’re just getting started with DPM, and I’m in it for the long haul. Plans are already underway for the 2015 Digital PM Summit and I can’t wait to share details with you very soon.

As many of you can probably relate, 2014 was met with many personal and professional ups and downs. It’s not even mid-December and I cannot wait to take on 2015. I’m looking forward to continuing my own adventure by meeting many new people and making new things along the way. I’ll continue to blog about my adventures here and write as much as possible elsewhere. Maybe our paths will cross at a Bureau of Digital event, or even at work. Until they do, I wish you all the best this holiday season and the happiest of new years.